Amariyah Yisrael

English 1101
Lincoln Schreiber
September, 19, 2014

A Sensational View
The actor and director Whoopi Goldberg is an excellent actress and her on stage performance has hearts
racing and people giving wild appraisal. I had great opportunity to go to one of her plays. When I first
was asked to go by my grandmother, I was a bit skeptical about the theater, seating, and especially the
acting. I have experienced mediocre acting that even my school plays are better than so many times
before. So when I went to see Sister Act I naturally had much doubts on the performance.
Outside the theater there were little yellow lights similar to the ones at an old fashion cinema. The
theater was on a block cramped with another small store which gave it a kind of vintage feel. Already my
critical eye was oppressed and I was giddy and filled with excitement. When I entered the building a big
hall met me and my grandmother.
Oh! This place is fancy! she said. I nodded in agreement. We walked up the white stairs which were
marble and shined brightly. There was a chandelier on the ceiling that hung low enough that it seemed
tangible. We walked down the spacey hallway and into the auditorium which to my surprise was quite
large. We took a seat at the top which had given me a good eye view. Too many times have I been in a
movie theater and could not see because someones head was in front of my face. I was pleased to
know this wouldnt happen because of the construction of the seating which makes sure that everyone
can see. The seating was very comfortable and supported ones weight very well, neither too soft or too
hard. I could have fallen asleep, however, the bright lights and ready atmosphere kept me awake. The

stage was round and converged the auditorium on both sides. A rush of air hit my face complimented
by the sound of laughter, talk, and anticipation.
The lights dimmed as the show started. The orchestra began to play and purple lights arose slowly
accompanied by the first actor. Every moment she spoke I was completely captivated. Her voice was
completely histrionic while still relating her background to the audience before it was even explained.
She was a beautiful black woman with a fierce attitude that was sure to show throughout the
production. The show was set off by her serious and purposeful singing. We knew the meaning of this
performance which helped to open the play. Then another scene introduced a new character relative to
the first which played into the next character and the next until a whole plot and story was built up.
With almost every joke there was laughter and excitement. And the jokes were not just words but
actions and movements that could be seen by even the farthest onlookers.
The songs didnt start randomly throughout the production but an intriguing orchestra accompanied the
transition, starting the mood to yet another music number or scene. Like the acting the singers were
spectacular. Their voices flowed fluently in the microphones and their qualities shined like bright stars.
Each persons voice portrayed who they were in the play. The main character was a diva with a loud and
bearing voice, a giddy girl chanted, a tentative man belched an amazing church tone, and a shy girl sung
timidly with a conserved body posture.
The lighting accompanied the scenes feel and tone during that time. They increased in illumination and
intensity, gently surfacing the actors cheeks, body, and hair. When an action scene came into play the
reds lights shown fiercely and the blue lights dimmed, tending to keep the viewers eye on the person at
hand while still open to mystery from behind. Stage crew did an excellent job at moving the props to
and on stage for I could not see them once. The work they put into the show was obvious by the seem
less transference of furniture and building props on and off set. Relating my own experiences from my

work on stage crew, I know the struggles and hardship it takes to get every piece off before a scene
starts and move various pieces out of the way so that cast can come back on the stage. In some parts of
it their seemed to be a mystical glitter or glow coming off the characters that appeared to be a bit
interesting.
There is some criticism however, with it often compared to the movie as being dull and unexciting
without Whoopi Goldberg herself not actually in the play. If one came to see her then they should not
go because she is not in it at all. People who actually want to see the play for its true story should really
come even though her signature theatrical performance will not be a part of it. The actors do an
excellent job of making up for the loss by obliging you fall in love with them act after act.
Any musical that can make me feel like I want to be a part of it has a lead in my book. Lights and sounds
complimented the characters with efficiency, lose ends were all tied together, each plot carried in a
logical order with the next, props moving on and off stage appropriately, and the acting brought the
audience into the show itself. I felt as if I were really there and could relate to life situations the
characters experienced. The production brought together all of these concepts which is what makes a
respectable musical or theater performance.